THWAITES heralded a new dawn in its 211 year old brewing history at the end of July as brewing commenced on a new site on the outskirts of the Ribble Valley.

Housed in idyllic rural surroundings, the purpose-built brewery is only a few miles from its original home in Blackburn town centre.

I had been invited by head brewer, Brian Yorston, to have a look around the gleaming new premises.

The new modern facility looked resplendent with its shiny new pipework connected up to the new brewing tanks. The glazed frontage and whitewashed walls also gave the brewhouse excellently lit conditions for the brewing process.

Brian said: “We now work in one big room. It gives the team a better working environment.”

The five-strong brewing team are the group that worked at the old site on Penny Street.

Well, Thwaites certainly needed a larger area to cope with the increased brewing capacity required at Mellor Brook. Brian commented: “We are currently brewing 100 brewery barrels a week (almost 30,000 pints), that equates to 400 casks.”

The first beer to be brewed at the new plant was their popular mild brew, Nutty Black. A second brew quickly followed, namely, TBC (Thwaites Best Cask).

However, what is undoubtedly great news for beer lovers across the region, is the return ‘home’ of Thwaites Original. A malty and refreshing, full flavoured bitter.

It was my first introduction to cask ale in the late 1970s at the Hand and Shuttle, Padiham.

This flagship beer had been brewed by Marstons in Wolverhampton since 2014. But the increased brewing capacity will now be able to mark the return of Original Bitter. Three extra fermentation tanks have been installed - making six in total.

Brian said: “The Thwaites Original recipe has been tweaked very slightly. It has added a little extra body to the beer. But the recipe is exactly the same as what we did in Blackburn. Same yeast; same plans; and same people. We always planned to bring the beer back to the new brewery. It accounts for 50 per cent of our production.”

Brian then showed me the rest of the site. It included: new spacious offices; conference centre; new stables for the three Shire horses; and a brewery tap room.

The latter giving me an ideal opportunity to sample their latest beer. A beer named ‘1918’, to commemorate Armistice Day.

The beer is robust and full flavoured at 4.4%. A chestnut brown beer with biscuit malt, floral and gentle toffee in the aroma, that leads most notably to caramel malt, and floral flavour. Mellow and subtle tangy finish. A rich, smooth and moreish ale. A delicious drop. Available from November 5, Thwaites are kindly donating 10p for every pint sold to the Royal British Legion.

Thwaites are certainly continuing their traditional brewing in fine style, at their new £10 million site.

The brewing team have so much passion about their trade - and it is reflected in the quality of the beers they brew. I wish them continued success.